Hugh Morris steps up search for new Glamorgan coach

There was far more interest than a previously reported six applicants for the vacant head coach job with the Glamorgan hierarchy now preparing to reduce the numbers to a shortlist for interviews on October 10

Impending Glamorgan chief Hugh Morris has revealed his delight at the response to the vacant first team head coach job at the county.

The application deadline was on Monday with a healthy response in the search to replace the head of elite performance Matthew Mott.

There was far more interest than a previously reported six applicants for the job with the Glamorgan hierarchy now preparing to reduce the numbers to a shortlist for interviews on October 10.

“We started our recruitment process about a week ago and the final date for application was on Monday,” explained Morris.

“I am really pleased with the quality of candidates and the range of young and experienced coaches.

“We are currently shifting through a shortlist and will be interviewing candidates on October 10.

“Hopefully by the end of the month we will be appointing the head coach.”

Current Glamorgan coaches Robert Croft and Steve Watkin are expected to be interviewed but Morris insists the fact he played with the duo will have no bearing on his decision.

“We have the beauty of having an open recruitment policy,” said Morris.

“We will give the candidates the opportunity to set out their vision for Glamorgan.

“It will be a tough process and the best person will get the job whether I know personally who that person is or not.”

Morris does not officially start his new job as Glamorgan chief executive and director of cricket until January as he continues his role as ECB managing director which includes a stint in Australia for the first two Ashes Tests in November.

But the former Glamorgan captain and England opener is involved with ongoing contract negotiations with Murray Goodwin, Dean Cosker and Simon Jones about new deals at the Swalec Stadium.

Cosker is looking for a new contract, while Jones is hoping for a Twenty20 deal after quitting first-class and List A cricket.

Despite being the oldest county cricketer on the circuit, Goodwin enjoyed a stellar first season with Glamorgan, top-scoring with 1,263 first-class runs and playing every county championship and one-day match.

The 40-year-old initially signed a one-year contract which automatically triggered another 12 months after reaching certain targets.

This means Goodwin is automatically contracted for the 2014 season but he wants to renegotiate a fresh two-year deal until the end of 2015 summer.

Glamorgan have been reluctant to grant this wish with Goodwin turning 42 before the start of that 2015 campaign.

Morris insisted the situation with the trio was ongoing and he had been seeking advice from cricket consultant Brian Rose on these issues.

“We are having ongoing talks with players and we want to settle this down as soon as possible,” said Morris.

“I am still getting up to speed with things because I have been away for quite a long time.

“Brian Rose has done an excellent job in the last few months where he has had the hand on the tiller with cricket.

“I have relied on his strong recommendations and he is a man who is very experienced in county cricket after his time at Somerset.

“He is with us until Christmas and will stay involved with cricket matters while I am in Australia.”

Morris also revealed current commercial and finance director Simon White will be acting chief executive for the next three months after Alan Hamer left the Swalec Stadium this week.

“I have another couple of months in the job and I will be going down to Australia for the first Ashes Tests,” explained Morris.

“That is still very much taking up focus and attention.

“So Simon White will be acting chief executive until December 31.

“He is a very experienced business man and I will be liaising with him on a regular basis.

“We have got a very good senior team here who will take us through until the new year and I am looking forward to taking over officially in January.”

And Morris insists he will not let up when he returns to Glamorgan, 16 years after retiring from the game and leaving Wales to join the ECB.

“I have had a great time and really enjoyed the last 16 years where I have had some real highs and some very challenging situations,” said Morris.

“I have loved the job and learned a lot.

“I am really happy to bring that knowledge back to Glamorgan and look forward to working with the players and staff.

“The time is right and I can’t think of a better job to come to.

“I have not come back to Wales for semi-retirement.

“I would have not given up the job as managing director of the ECB unless I thought I would be throwing everything into this job at Glamorgan.

“I am relishing the opportunity and coming here at a good time.”

Morris has also outlined his vision to develop Welsh talent to thrive alongside top Australian-born performers like Jim Allenby and Michael Hogan.

“I think we have got some exciting talent at the club,” said Morris.

“I am looking forward to working with Cricket Wales and developing the next batch of talent.

“If you look at the historical success of Glamorgan we have always had some top Welsh talent involved heavily.

“We have had some good players performing recently who were born outside the Welsh borders.

“Jim Allenby has had some great years at Glamorgan in recent times while Michael Hogan has been a revelation this summer.

“We are also looking forward to welcoming Jacques Rudolph at the top of the order next year.

“We want to supplement this with top Welsh players.

“It will take a little bit of time for these young guys to come through but I am looking forward to trying to blend that mix.”